• Share

Kim Jong-il Dead at 69

After suffering a major heart attack, according to North Korean state media, Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il has died. Kim, who is succeeded by his third son, Kim Jong-un, rose to power in 1994 after the death of his father, Kim Il-sung. His notable accomplishments include censoring the internet, persecuting Christians, committing untold numbers of human rights violations, and spreading propaganda about other nations.

Congress Passes NDAA and Votes on SOPA

Even after garnering a 9% approval rating, Congress believes that the most pressing issue at the moment is passing an online piracy bill that no one besides the entertainment industry wants. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) will effectively give the government and media companies full control over censorship of the internet – something Congress sees absolutely nothing wrong with. It’s not like the Republicans or Democrats have to worry about anything. If they get voted out, they’ll wind up in a cushy lobbyist job or B-level position in a media company. They’ll still be part of the top 1% of earners, and we’ll still be shoveling feces for peanuts.

That’s not all, though. Congress also recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA), which gives the Government full reign to hold American citizens indefinitely and without due process. You know, the United States Government and the North Korean Government might not be too dissimilar… The U.S. Government’s list of noticeable accomplishments also seems to include censoring the internet, persecuting Muslims, committing human rights violations, and spreading propaganda about other nations. Wow. What a difference fascism makes, eh?

14-Year-Old Girl Schools Rick Perry on Gay Rights

It goes a little something like this:

Girl: “…why you want to deny [gay soldiers] their freedom when they’re fighting for your rights?”

Perry: “This is about my faith, and I happen to think that there are a whole host of sins, homosexuality being one of them.”

Here’s the thing, Dick: If you can’t separate your faith from your governance, you don’t get to be President, capisce?

Bradley Manning Finally Gets His Trial

Accused of providing thousands of United States diplomatic cables and other classified information to whistleblower website WikiLeaks, Pfc. Bradley Manning is finally getting his trial after being held in solitary confinement for over fifteen months. The defense initially began proceedings by requesting the investigator recuse himself, citing evidence that points to bias. In addition, the defense argued that the leaking of the cables has caused no real harm or danger. Their latest tactics seem to revolve around Manning’s sexual orientation and his mental state.

Am I missing something here, or is Bradley Manning’s defense a total show? If I were his defense, the angle I’d play at is that it was not espionage or any such act, but an act to defend the Constitution as he is sworn to do. Pfc. Manning revealed war crimes and dirty deeds by the U.S. Government, and for that he should be honored. When the Government is punishing the whistleblowers and turning a blind-eye to corruption, you know something nefarious is afoot.

But instead of doing something about it, let’s make it a battle between Obama (the guy who, during his campaign, said that whistleblowers should be praised, but now goes after them feverishly) and Gingrich (who, during his younger years smoked marijuana,  and introduced a bill that would enact a mandatory death penalty for those who smuggle the plant).

…

It’s been one Hell of a week in the land of Oz! As we head into the new year, keep your wits about you and stay sharp. You never know who might be checking in on you.

(Image: CIA World Factbook)